2014 Canadian-American Days Festival

Myrtle Beach & North Myrtle Beach

Every year Myrtle Beach kicks off the Grand Strand tourist season with the Canadian-American Days Festival. During the Canadian-American Days Festival, Myrtle Beach welcomes Canadians and snowbirds with a variety of fun-filled events, concerts, historical tours, expos and giveaways taking place all along the Grand Strand. Visitors will find discounts and special offers for area attractions, restaurants, golf and more.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce started the festival in 1961, with the name Canada Days, to attract families during spring break for Canadian schools. The name was changed to Canadian-American Days in 1963 and now the festival attracts up to 100,000 snowbirds and Canadians to the Grand Strand each year.

Each year, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the North Strand Can-Am Celebration at the Myrtle Beach Mall. Check back soon for details.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce also sponsors the South Strand Can-Am Celebration at the Inlet Square Mall in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Check back soon for details

On March 15th head down to Ocean Boulevard between 8th Ave N and 9th Ave N for the Myrtle Beach Downtown St. Patrick's Day Celebration. A free, fun-filled event, the celebration will take place from noon until midnight. The event features free, live concerts all day, authentic Irish food & beverages and a Kids Zone with inflatables & games. Several popular musical acts will perform live including Paul Grimshaw Band, Lee Travis and the Bounty Hunters, Bullfrog, Elise Testone, Mike O'Donnell, Ben Fagan and the Holy City Hooligans, Gravy and Dino Capone's School of Rock. For nearby oceanfront accommodations, check out the Holiday Inn at the Pavilion located at 1200 N Ocean Blvd.

Other popular events during Canadian-American Days include: North Myrtle Beach's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, the National Shag Dance Championships and Myrtle Beach's Run to the Sun car and truck show.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival in North Myrtle Beach will take place on March 15. The parade starts at 9 am and the festival takes place following the parade and lasts until 4 pm.

The largest parade on the Grand Strand, the St. Patrick's Day Parade features over 100 entries and draws crowds that line the streets all along the parade's route with beach chairs and blankets. You'll find 2 announcing stations: at the BI-LO Shopping Center and the corner of Main Street and Hillside Drive. The parade will be broadcast live on WPDE TV 15.

After the parade, head on over to the end of Main Street for the St. Patrick's Day Festival. The festival features live entertainment on two stages, more than 125 arts and crafts vendors, great food as well as rides and games for kids young and old.

The Run to the Sun car and truck show takes place March 20-22 from 8 am until 5 pm at the old Myrtle Square Mall at 2501 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. All proceeds from the show go to the Children's Miracle Network and National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Come on out and enjoy the show as car enthusiasts from all over the United States show off their hot rods. Featured hotels include the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel, Caravelle Resort and Sea Watch Resort.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy Canadian-American Days, so come on down to the Grand Strand and take part in all the fun! For more information about Canadian-American Days, visit www.canamdays.com.